Improved diving-bell



M'nener( N. PETERS. PHOTOJJTMGGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. D. C.

UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN A. WEISSE; OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVED DIVING-BELL.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 89,453, dated April 27, 1869.

Be it known that i, JOHNA A. WEISSE, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Diving-Bell;

and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

Plate 1 exhibits the interior of my divingbell; Plate2, an exterior view of the bell nnder water, and showing its connections with the working-vessel at the surface.

As I am interested in the most improved diving-bell known, and have watched its operation in waters eighty feet deep, where the tide rises from eight to ten feet and runs six miles per hour, my'improvements are based not on mere theory, but on personal experience hence they will render my new improved diving-bell safer for my workmen and divers, and more expeditious and efficient for submarine work and explorations.

The construction and operation of my new improved diving-bell are based on the main principle of hydraulic against atmospheric pressure, set forth in Foremans Letters Patent for a diving-bell, granted to Henry B. Sears, August Z3, 1853, N o. 9,965, which main principle is that air and water reservoirs, or tanks with suitable pipes, valves, and stopcocks, may be used to give buoyancy and gravity to diving-bells, and that by filling or emptying such reservoirs wholly or partly buoyancy or gravity may be regulated at the will of theoperators.

My new improved diving belland that of Foreman have the following features in common, as may be fully realized by referring to the specifications and drawings of each:

I. A diving-chamber surrounded by air and water tanks or reservoirs within the bell.

II. An air reservoir or tank on the surface land an ai'r reservoir or tank within the bell,

of air, corresponds to my air reservoir or tank 7, with this dii'erence, th at his divers in armor only obtain air from a stop-cock opening near the bottom of his bell, while my divers in armor can draw air fr om valve 40, opening through the side of my bell, or from valve 4,

opening within my bell, thus enabling my divers to communicate at will with the operators on deck while drawing air from valve 40, or With the operators in my bell while drawing air from valve 4.

IV. Foremans rim c, forming a seat for divers and a place for ballast or freight, corresponds to my iioor 41, with this difference, that any ballast or freight my explorers or divers may take from the bottom is in my bell deposited and carried in bags 12, thus leaving my rim or floor 41 entirely for my explorers and for their tools.

V. Foremans mode of anchoring and shifting his bell while under water is somewhat similar to mine, with this difference, that his is disconnected from the surface, while mine is connected with the surface by guy-ropes 14, passing from the vessel, raft, or shore, as may be the case, to the sunken bowlders, blocks, or anchors 14, and thence to my bell. By this contrivance the operators of my bell can stay it against tides and currents, regulate its descents and ascents, and prevent its spinning round at a signal from the men within my bell.

VI. Foremans series of tanks el, or air and water reservoirs for regulating the gravity of the chamber, arranged around the sides of his diving-chamber A, correspond to my alternate water and air reservoir 10, his set 0f airpipes c and stop-cocks to my pipe and valve 22, and his set of water-pipes f and stop-cocks to my pipe and valve 9, with this difference, that his bell -has several such tanks, pipes, and stock-cocks, while mine has but one of each, which greatly simplities the construction and operation of my bell.

Having thus stated some of the principal features of resemblance between Foremans diving-bell and mine, I proceed to describe my invention in detail.

B B are braces between the outer and inner walls of my bell.

No. 1 is a bolt with a screw at each end, and

with nuts 1', by which cover 1S maybe closed or opened from within or from without, as the safety and health of the men within my bell may require. Y

No. 2 2 are two separate signal rods and lines, passing from my diving-chamber to the surface. One is to be used by the men within the bell to signal to those on deck, and the other bythe men on deck to signal to those within my bell.

No. 3 is a deleterious-gas deeomposer, consisting of copper-wire frames and sponge, so contrived as to iit and line the inside of diving-chambers 17 and 16 within a few inches from the innerwall thereof. The space between the wire frames and wall is to be filled with sponge or other subaquatic growing subsubstance, over and through which water from valve 20 and pipe 20 is to run and percolate for the purpose of decomposing and absorbing any noxious gases generated or produced within the diving-chambers 17 and 16, either by the men, candles, lamps, or by other causes, thus purifying the air for respiration. Sponge, a porous subaquatic growth, and copper wire, an open, strong metal, being not liable to sudden decay, oxidation, or emission of a bad odor, were chosen as the :most unlikely substances to engender noxious gases. This combination can be easily removed, the sponge washed, cleansed, and replaced.

No. 4 is a valve opening into diving-chamber 17, conveying fresh air from reservoir 30, through, flexible tube 25, directly to the men within the bell, to divers in armor, or into airreservoir 7.

No. 5 is avalveconnected with tube 25 and reservoir 7. When both valves 4 and 5 are open the air circulates freely through all the air-compartments on deck and within the bell. No. 6 is a cover on hinges for the man-hole between chamber 17 and reservoir 7, for the purpose of entering, cleaning, or repairing said reservoir.

No. 7 is an airrese'rvoir or tank within the bell, connected with air-reservoir 30 on deck by valve 5 and tube 25. The air in this compartment may be kept as a reserve to expel a part of or all the water from reservoir 10,

also for the purpose of buoying or poising my bell. Y

No. 8 is a valve opening from reservoir 7 into diving-chamber 16, for the purpose of introducing air under ioor 41 when cover 19 is closed, in order to enable the men within the bell. to open said cover by equalizing the pressure of air above and below said floor.

No. 9 is a valve by means of which water is admitted into reservoir 10 or expelled therefrom by air from reservoir 7 through valve 22,

A Vhen the operators of the bell wish to descend, they ll it with water by openin g valves 9 and 46. When they desire to ascend, they expel the water down to dotted line 35 by opening valves 22 and 9. When they wish to buoy or poise the bell in mid-water, they onl y expel as much water as may be required. Vhile they are making these changes they must carefully watch the rise and fall of the water in the graduated glass tube 21. I call this reservoir thus because in it water and air are alternated at will for thepurpose of ballasting, posing, or buoying the bell.

No. 11 are movable weights, with holders or rings placed within and around the bottom of my bell,for the purpose of ballastin g it. When the bell is to be lifted out of the water for repair or transportation these Weights can be removed through man-hole 36 hence, this contrivance of movable weights will obviate outside projections, secure to the bell a smooth outer surface, thus preventing its capsizing, and enable the operators to lighten it as much as possiblefor transportation. As these weights can be cast of refuse iron the bell will be less costly.

No. 12 are freightlbags of duck, leather, wire-cloth, or any strong flexible material, so contrived as to hang around the inside of chamber 16. vFor pearl, coral, amber, oyster, or sponge ishin g these bags are very desirable. The workmen can lill them, ascend to the surface, unhook and lower them 011e by one with windla-ss 15, and signal to the men on deck to haul them on board by means of rope 27. This combination of bags, ropes, and windlassV expedites the work, and enables the men to double and triple the freight.

No. 13 is a rope netting for the workmen at the bottom to jump on in case of accident by a sudden and unexpected risin gof the bell from an oversight of' the engineer, or to stand on while lowering freight-bags 12 by windlass 15, also to deposit additional bulky freight, such as sponge or parcelsfrom wrecked ships.

No. 14: are bowlders, blocks, or anchors with rings and pulleys, through which ropes pass to the bell and to the vessel, as seen, Plate 2, for the purpose of steadying the bell in its descents and ascents against tides and currents,

and preventing it from spinning round, as described, V.

No. 15 is a small windlass fastened to Hoor 41, for the purpose of lowering freight-bags 12 and of raising or lowering other burdens, as

circumstances may require.

Nos. 17 and 16 are the upper and lower diving-chalnbers, 1u which the engineer and workmen (or divers) descend and ascend and walk at the bottom. They are separated by floor 41 and cover 19, which must be 4open while the men are working at the bottom and closed while thebell is descending or ascending, and while it is oating at the surface with cover 18 open. The engineer remains in chamber 17, opens and closes the valves, watches the gagesattends to the sgnal-lines,and sees that the air is as fresh and healthy as possible for respiration, while the men are workin g at the bottom.

No. 18 is the top cover, fastened by hinge 42, closing and opening as described, No. 1.

No. 19 is the lower cover, fastened by hinge.

No. 2() is a valve opening into reservoir 10. By it water rising through pipe 20', along the innerwall of chamber 17 is distributed over the deleterious-gas decomposer described, No. 3.

No. 21 is a graduated glass tube or gage,

from reservoir 7 into reservoir 10, whence it expels the water, at the will of the engineer, to any point between tloor 43 and dottedline Y 35, provided valve 9 is open. Should it become necessary to expel all the water from reservoir 10, open valves 22 and 26 and all the water escapes through tube 26. This only occurs when the bell is to be repaired or transported. p A

N o. 23 is a gage, by which the engineer can at any time see the atmospheric pressure in reservoirs 7 and 30, provided the valves between these reservoirs are open.

No. 24 is a valve for the escape of foul air.

from chamber 17. Whenever the air is vitiated by the respiration of the men or by the burning of candles or lamps, this valve is opened for the exit of foul air collected at the top of chamber 17. It is also opened for the purpose of diminishing the pressure of air within chamber 17, while the bell is rising and approaching the surface, so as to equalize the air within chamber 17 with the air outside, in order to facilitate the opening of cover 18 and to prepare the divers for the outer air when said cover is removed.

No. 25 is a tlexible tube that connects reservoirs 30 and 7 through valve 5, diving-chamber 17 through valves 4 and 28', and reservoir l() through valve 22.

No. 26 is a valve for the expulsion of all the water from reservoir 10. To accomplish it valves 22 and 26 must be opened at the same time. Such total unballasting is only required when the bell is taken out of the water for repair or transportation.

No. 27 is a rope or chain by which the freight-bags 12 are hauled on deck, as described, No. 12.

No. 28 are glasses in cover 18 and around it, for the purpose of introducing as much light as possible into diving-chambers 17 and 16. These glasses, as seen, Plate 2, may furnish light enon gh in clear, still, and shallow Waters with a 'hard bottom. 1n waters with a soft muddy bottom, as well as in deep or agitated Waters, artificial light, such as wax, spermaceti candles, oil-lamps, electric or 'air light, may be required.

No. 28 is a valve for the purpose of introducin g air from reservoir 7 into diving-chamber 17 when valves 4 and 5 are closed', in case of accident to tube 25, to reservoir 30 or to air-pump 29. Vhile vale 28 is thus supplying' diving-chambers 17 and 16 with air from reservoir 7, divers in armor outside of my bell may draw their air from the surface through the chambers 17 and 16 by connecting with valve 4. Should divers in armor wish to be independent of diving-chambers 17 and 16, thetvT can draw their air from reservoir 7 by connecting with valve 40, (valve 28 being closed.) Meanwhile the operators Within my bell can draw their air from the surface through valve 4. The air from reservoir 7 may also be used to expel the water from reservoir 10 for raising water through valve 20 and pipe 20 over the deleterious-gas decomposer 3, or for buoying and poisin g the bell by opening valves 9 and 22, while the men who work in the bell can breathe the air from the surface through valve 4. This combination ot' valves, pipes, and stop-cocks is considered a great improvement in diving-bells, securing not only safety to my workmen within and to my divers without the bell, but a large extent for the circulation of air above and under water, which renders it healthier for respiration.

No. 29 is an air-pump, Plate 2, by which air is supplied to reservoirs 30 and 7, to diving-chambers 17 and 16, to divers in armor outside of the bell, and through the bell, or to force water out of reservoir 10, as may be desired.

No. 30 is an air reservoir or tank, in which air may be compressed and kept preparatory to a descent, provided valves 31, 32, 37, and 38 are closed. Thus this reservoir may be iilled with compressed air in the evening, shut up, and kept for a descent neXt morning to catch a lo\v tide, thus saving precious time and labor.

No 31 is a valve through which lubricatingoil, forced into reservoir 30 by air-pump, may be washed out by pouring h'ot water through valve 38, thus obviating the wasting of the rubber tube 25, which is in constant danger oi' bursting when oil gets into and corrodes it. This con trivance keeps the reservoir clean, and the air in it pure for respiration and free from the smell of oil and other impurities that collect at the bottom of it. l

No. 32 `is a valve connecting reservoir 30 with tube 25, for the purpose of preventing the smell oi' the lubricating-oil throughout the bell and the strain of the compressed air on rubber tube 25 while the work is suspended, thus saving this fragile and costly tube from eorroding and bursting.

No. 33 is a check-valve in pipe 25, to prevent the escape of air from reservoir x and chamber 17 in case rubber tube 25, reservoir 30, or air-pump 29 should get out of order.

No. 34 is a valve for the outlet of water that collects on floor 41 from the deleterious-gas dccomposer 3; also, for the escape of the air Vunder floor 41 and cover 1 9 before a gradual which reservoir 10 is entered for repair, cleansing, or for the removal of weights 11, in case of cessation of work and transportation of the bell. This cover and man-hole would probably be better somewhere in the upper part of chamber 16, to avoid a break in tloor 43 and prevent leakage of air into reservoir 10, which may cause unexpected ascents of the bell from the bottom and prevent its being properly ballasted with water for -descents No. 37 is avalve connecting reservoir 30 with air-pump 29. 1t must be closed during the suspension ot' work to prevent the strain on air-pump and the smell of oil in the air throughout the bell.

No. 38 is a valve through which hot water is poured for the purpose of washing oil and other impurities from the bottom of reservoir 30 through valve 3l.

No. 39 is a cover and man-hole by which reservoir 30 can be entered for cleaning and repair. This combination of valves 3l, 32, 37, and 38 and cover 39 allows thorough cleansing of reservoir 30 and a separate compression of air within it preparatory to descents. The men may compress the air to the desired degree, close these valves, and leave it till the next descent, thus avoiding the smell of oil in the air, the strain on air-pump and on rubber tube 25, and the corrosion of said tube.

No. 40 is a valve and pipe opening into reservoir 7, to which a flexible tube may be applied in case divers in armor wish to explore outside of the bell and take their supply ot air from reservoir 7, as described, III and 2S.

No. 4l is the door on which the engineer and men are while descending or ascending. During descents and ascents, and while the bell is tloating on the surface with cover 18 open, cover 19 must be closed. The tools and implements of the workmen are placed on this floor.

No. 42 is a hinge by which cover 1S is fastened to the bell. This hinge, as well as those of covers 6, 19, 36, and 39, save much lifting and hauling with eXtra rigging, and prevent these heavy covers from falling into-the water.

No. 43 is an arched iioor between reservoirs 7 and 10. This separator must be well secured to prevent any leakage of air into water-reservoir 10. It must be of stronger liron and arched upward, so as to stand any pressure.

Here was the first leakage of air in my divingbell; hence, cover and man-hole 36 would better be in chamber 16.

No. 44 is a wire that connects diving-chamber 17 with a galvanic battery on deck, for the purpose of having electric light instead of candles or lamps, each of which consumes nearly as much oxygen as a man.

No. 45 is a small iron tank, in which air is to be so compressed as to furnish the men within my bell with air-light instead of candles or lamps. As every diving-bell must have an air-pump, this or the electric light will be preferable to any other artificial light, s

as either ot' them will keep the air in divingchamber purer for respiration and less charged with carbon.

No. 46 is a valve by which the air escapes from reservoir 10, while the water for ballastin g the bell rushes into said reservoir through valve 9. r

After having thus described each part of my new improved diving-bell, I will state the mode ot' operating it.

The bell must be transported on or by a vessel. If the distance is short it may be attached to a vessel or raft and oated. While thus floating cover 19 must be closed. When the desired spot is reached the vessel or raft must be properly moored, the bell must be lowered by a windlass, and moved directly over the wreck or place where submarine work is to be done. The movable weights 11 must be placed at the bottom of reservoir 10.

When the depth of water has been carefully ascertained, the engineer enters the divingchamber 17, sees that all the cocks, valves, and gages are right, opens valve 34 for the escape of air from under lloor 41 and valve 5 for the introduction of air into reservoir 7. Meanwhile air-pump 29 is worked, and reservoirs 30 and 7 are iilled with compressed air, according to the depth that is to be reached. The engineer watches gage 23 till it indicates the required pressure. He also opens valve 9 for the introduction of Water into reservoir 10 and valve 46 for the escape of the air from reservoir 10. At the same time he watches the graduated glass tube 21. When the water rises toward the top of this tube the bell is about ready to sink. Now the workmen, with their tools, lanterns, lights, and other implements, or divers if required, join the engineer. Cover 18 is closed and screwed down from outside or from inside, as desired. Valve4is opened to admit into diving-.chamber`17 sufficient atmospheric pressure to counteract the column of water that iills chamber 16. Now,

:rope 47, by which bell is fastened to the ves-- sel, is unwound by windlass on deck; tube 21 indicates that reservoir 10 is full 5 the engineer signals for descent; the bell begins to sink; each man, on deck and within the bell, is at his post; rubber tube 25, signal lines 2 2, and guyropes 14 14 a-re dealt out by the respective men, and the bell descends with her crew, and

with lighted candles, lamps, glass lanterns, electric or air light, or mere sun-light, as circumstances may require.

The engineer, divers, and men are all in vto stop dealing out ropes, tubes, and lines.

While cover 19 is being unscrewed the engineer opens valve 8, in order to introduce under floor 41 sufficient air to enable the men to open cover 19. Meanwhile the air-pump 29 is worked, so as to introduce into chamber 17 sufficient pressure to force the column of water in chamber 16 down to within a few inches from the bottom of the bell. The men standing on loor 41 and watching the gradual descent of this column of water sound in order to ascertain whether the bell landed on a flat firm surface or over crevice or precipice. If all right the workmen descend and begin work. If they are on a Wreck they use their tools to cut through and penetrate. If on a bottom covered with pearl-oysters, coral, amber, sponge, oysters, or other valuable substance, they fill bags l2 and rope netting 13 -for a short ascent, and discharge, as stated, Nos. 12 and 13.

Meanwhile the engineer remains on ioor 41, signals and answers whenever required, watches gages, opens valve 20 entirely and valve 22 slightly, which causes water from reservoir 10 to pla-y over deleterious-gas decomposer 3 through pipe 20. From time to time he opens valve 24 for the escape of foul air that collects on top of chamber 17, watching, moreover, thatthe lights burn sufiiciently to work by. Suffice it to say that he-keeps the air in working-chambers 17 and 16 as pure and healthy as possible, for respiration. He also sees that the compressed air in reservoirs 30 and 7 is adequate to buoy, poise, or unballast the bell.

Should the workmen wish to move the bell along the bottom while gathering pearl-oysters, coral, amber, oysters, or sponge, the engineer has but to open Valves 9 and 22, so as to force from reservoir 10 sufficient water to raise the bell a foot or two above the bottom, and poise it, while the workmen use poles and push the bell along the bottom. To do this, he must watch glass tube 21, to see the fall of water. Should` the water from gas-decomposer collect' on floor 41, he has but to open valve 34 to let it run off.

When the required work is done on a wreck, or the bell fully frei ghted with parcels or pearl-oysters, coral, amber, oysters, sponge, or any other substance desired, the engineer signals for ascent, to which4 the signal-operator on deck replies. Men on' deck repair to their posts; the engineer opens valves 9 y and 22, to expel water from reservoir 10 down to dotted line 35,.'as indicated by glass tube The workmen, with their tools, after having filled bags 12 and freighted rope netting 13, mount on iloor 41, close and screw down cover 19. The signal forimmediate ascent is given, and the bell rises. The windlass on deck hauls up, and the men on deck take in ropes, tubes, and signal-lines as the bell ascends.

While thus ascending, the engineer opens valve 24 for the escape of air, in order to diminish the pressure within chamber 17 preparatory to reaching the surface, which, when reached, and bell has come to rest, the engineer signals, either for coming on deck, or for unloading freight. If for going on deck, cover 18 is opened from Without or from with in, as may be desired, and the men emerge from the bell. If for unloading freight, cover 18 remains closed, while cover 19 is opened, the freighted bags are unhitched, one by one, lowered by windlass 15, and hauled on deck, as described, 12 and 13, 15 and 27.

Whatever freight may have been deposited on rope netting 13 and floor 4l is also discharged, and bags taken in again for another and similar descent, freighting, ascent, and discharge.

Should the operators within the bell wish at any time to stop the bell in' mid-water, the engineer has but to open valves 9 and 22, to watch graduated glass tube 21 till lie sees the water in it to about one-half its length, so equalizing the weight of all the water displaced by the bell, and the weight of the bell, men,

freight, and water contained in the bell, thatY the bell will pause in mid-water.

Should it at any time become desirable to explore outside of the bell while at the bottom, the bell must be poised, as just described,

.within six or eight feet from bottoln, so as to allow divers in armor to slip out from under the bell, drawing their supply of air from valve v 4 or from valve 40, at discretion.

Having now fully described the construction and operation of my improved diving-bell, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is`

l. The combination and arrangement of pipes, valves, and stopcocks Nos. 4, 5, 25, 28',

and 40, as described, and for the purpose setforth.

2. The combination and arrangement of valves and stop-cocks Nos. 31, 32, 37, and 38 with reservoir No. 30, as described, and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination of bags of leather, or other strong and flexible material, with the necessary hoisting and lowering apparatus arranged within the bell, as described, and for the purpose of enabling theunloading of freight in mid-water, instead of from the bottom or at the surface, through the man-holes, as heretofore.

4. The deleterious-gas decomposer formed of sponge and non-corroding wirecloth, arranged as described, for the purpose set forth.

5. The use and arrangement of removable Weights, constructed as described, in combi- 1S, to facilitate the fastening or removal ofthe :nation with water-reservoir No. l() ofthe bell, same by persons outsideof the. bell as Well as for the purpose set forth. by those Within, substantially as described and 6. The use and application of a graduated set forth. glass tube or gage in combination with the water-reservoir of the bell, for the purpose dc- J' A XVEISSE scribed and set forth. Vitnesses:

7. The double-threaded screw-bolt l and CHARLES PRICE, nuts 1', in combination with man-hole cover MORTON BISHOP. 

